Charles Kernot was educated at Winchester College and The Royal School of Mines in London where he obtained his honours degree in mining geology. He is also a member of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy. He has worked in the City since 1985 and has researched all areas of the metals and mining industry over the course of his career prior to joining Paribas in 1995. He was previously head of International Mining Research at Credit Lyonnais Laing.